King's College London

Jerin Joy, a Neuroscience student, took on the challenge of pursuing a project outside her academic discipline through the King's Undergraduate Research Fellowship (KURF). Her project, “Policy-Focused Research in Palliative and End-of-Life Care,” allowed her to explore a new field while building on her existing knowledge of healthcare and palliative care.

Reflecting on the experience, Jerin shared:

"I mentioned a lot about how I wanted to expand my horizons and learn more things outside of my comfort zone. I had that drive to learn new things, and I think that really came across in my application."

Though the project posed challenges, particularly in navigating concepts unfamiliar to her field, Jerin appreciated how the experience helped bridge gaps between her neuroscience background and the public policy aspects of her project:

"It was a good bridging experience. There were some difficulties, especially with concepts I hadn’t encountered before, but the team I worked with was really kind and patient. They were always willing to explain things to me."

Impact of KURF Funding

Jerin’s fellowship significantly contributed to her professional development by providing opportunities to gain and apply new skills:

• Research Methodology: Jerin worked on tasks such as using information from public meetings to develop a diagram aimed at reducing A&E visits in the last three months of a patient’s life. She noted:

"This was really difficult because I had never done that before, but it gave me such a refreshing perspective on how research can make a real-world difference."

• Collaboration and Communication: The support she received from her research team helped her overcome challenges and navigate unfamiliar territory:

"The PhD students I worked with were really kind and willing to help me with anything. It wasn’t overwhelming—it was a great opportunity to learn and grow."

Broader Impact

Jerin highlighted how the experience broadened her academic and career perspectives, encouraging her to step outside her comfort zone:

"Don’t stick to familiar ground too much. Definitely take a risk. Try something new—it provides such a different and refreshing perspective."

The KURF experience equipped Jerin with the tools to pursue diverse opportunities and inspired confidence in tackling future challenges. Her journey illustrates the value of interdisciplinary exploration, demonstrating how targeted research opportunities can empower students to expand their skill sets and career aspirations.

King's Undergraduate Research Fellowship (KURF)

The King’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship (KURF) at King’s College London offers undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in transformative research projects led by academics and staff at King’s during the summer. Fellows receive a stipend of £1,500 and are awarded the King’s Experience Research Award, which is featured on their Higher Education Achievement Record (HEAR) as formal recognition of their role as research fellows.

Key Features and Impact

• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: KURF encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration, exposing students to diverse research methodologies and fields.
• Skill Development: Participants gain essential research skills such as data collection, analysis, and critical thinking, as well as transferable skills including teamwork, problem-solving, and communication.
• Enhanced Career Prospects: Fellows frequently cite KURF as instrumental in securing postgraduate study opportunities, research roles, and careers in industry.
• Widening Participation: In the King’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship (KURF), the scoring system incorporates a formula that provides WP students with an additional 20% weighting on their application mark, which is then added to the supervisor’s score. Typically, the highest-scoring candidates are either selected outright or invited to interview, where final decisions are made. This ensures that the programme supports inclusivity and targets students from underrepresented backgrounds.